Loads of fun 2022
Loads of fun with apples, singing, dancing and much more: Daniel Owen Festival 15 – 22 October 2022. Here’s a taster of some of the events to look forward to….
On the first Saturday of this year’s Daniel Owen Festival we will be celebrating ‘Shwmae Sumae Day’, the 15th of October, with a Coffee Morning at Mold’s Masonic Hall in Earl Road. There will be an opportunity for learners and Welsh speakers to chat over a cup of tea and get the latest information about the Festival’s activities. From 11.00am – 3.00pm Daniel Owen Square will be packed with a demonstration of the art of apple juicing apples from Flintshire orchards and an invitation to taste the wonderful drink produced by the different types of apple. You will also have the opportunity to listen to Parti’r Pentan singing live and enjoy the colorful and lively performances of the Tegeingl Dancers.
On Monday we look forward to a talk by local author Rebecca Roberts about the use of English in Welsh novels. Daniel Owen himself used this technique very effectively ‘To be sure!’. Following the judging of the Daniel Owen Memorial Award at the Tregaron Eisteddfod there will be plenty to discuss about this current theme. The lecture will be in Welsh with a simultaneous translation to English. An experience not to be missed! Rebecca is the author of a number of novels based here in the North East – ‘Mudferwi’ 2019 and the sequel ‘Chwerwmelys’ 2021, ‘Rituals’ and ‘Curiad Wag’ 2022. With her first novel for young people, ‘ Helynt#’ 2020, which is based in Rhyl, she won the Children and Young People category in the Book of the Year Award and the Tir na Nog Award 2021.
On Wednesday night we will return to the Freemasons’ Hall for Dr Robert Lomas’ illustrated presentation ‘From failed preacher to promising novelist’ based on five articles by Daniel Owen that appeared in the Welsh language magazine ‘Y Drysorfa’. The popularity of these portraits led Daniel Owen to write his first novel ‘Y Dreflan’. The presentation will be held in the Temple of Freemasons which was furnished by Sir Watcyn Wynn, one of the Presidents of the Mold Eisteddfod of 1873. Daniel Owen was the secretary of the Committee of that Eisteddfod. Donations will be accepted on the night towards the Mold Hospital Friends Guild.
Thursday night we meet at Mold Rugby Club for a social evening for Intermediate+ learners and Welsh speakers. A fun quiz will be held and we will be entertained by Nic Blandford and his group. Nic is a local musician, writer and poet and we look forward to hearing his latest music.
On the afternoon of Saturday the 22nd of October in the Inner Bailey Performance Area of Mold’s Bailey Hill, ‘Young Voices’ will be presented – short performances by local young people which are the result of a partnership between Theatr Clwyd and the Bailey Hill Project. A great opportunity to enjoy outdoor performances in a special location that was familiar to Daniel Owen in his day.
Leading up to the Festival, Theatr Clwyd will organize performances of commissioned work by new writers of all ages in local schools. During the Festival there will be an opportunity for some of the town’s primary school pupils to visit Bailey Hill to watch a new video about Daniel Owen.
More information on all the events will be published on the website and follow us on social media.
As every year we are extremely grateful to the sponsors, partners and volunteers who enable us to hold the Festival annually to celebrate the life and work of Daniel Owen and the rich heritage of the Mold area.